Bush supports democracy in Pakistan after meeting Gilani

WASHINGTON: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and President George Bush on Monday discussed enhancing cooperation in economic and security fields with the U.S. leader declaring Washington’s strong support for democracy in Pakistan and cooperative efforts in the fight against terrorism along Afghan border. “Pakistan is a strong ally and a vibrant democracy. The United States supports the democracy and supports the sovereignty of Pakistan,” Bush stated in his post-meeting remarks as both leaders reaffirmed their common commitment to fight against terrorism.
Appearing alongwith Prime Minister Syed Yousuf, President Bush hailed Pakistan as a strong ally and described the meeting as “good and constructive.” Washington, he emphasized, respects “sovereignty of this (Pakistani) democracy” and acknowledged the Pakistani leadership’s strong commitment to fight against terror.
Prime Minister Gilani renewed Islamabad’s commitment to curb extremism and emphasized that an overwhelming majority of Pakistanis across the country including the tribal areas want to live in peace. He said it is only a handful of people who stir up trouble.
“I appreciate what he (Bush) has said about supporting democracy, supporting sovereignty, looking after the interests, and on a lot of other areas we are with—there is a cooperation between us,” Gilani said in the White House lawn.
In the regional perspective, the two leaders discussed ensuring security on Afghan border and observed that Prime Minister Gilani wants “a peaceful country on its (Pakistan’s) border.
“We talked about the common threat we face, extremists who are very dangerous people. We talked about the need for us to make sure that you know, Afghan border is secure as best as possible. Pakistan’s made a very strong commitment to that.
“I told the prime minister that the United States is committed to helping the Afghan democracy succeed, which is in Pakistan ‘s interest. He—after all, the prime minister wants there to be a peaceful country on his border.
“The U.S., I repeat, respects the sovereignty of this democracy. And— and we also appreciate the prime minister’s strong words against the extremists and terrorists who not only would do us harm but have harmed people inside Pakistan,” Bush added.
Prime Minister Gilani said the violent extremists killed Pakistan’s popular leader and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
“We are working for prosperity and peace of the world,” Gilani added. After making press remarks the two leaders went to luncheon hosted in honour of the Pakistani leader. “We’re going to spend a lot of time on the economy, about how the United States and Pakistan can continue to cooperate to—for economic benefits for all the people of Pakistan, and for our own country, for that matter,” Bush said.
Assisting the Prime Minister at the Oval Office meeting were Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Sherry Rehman, Defense Minister Ahmed Mukhtar, Advisor to the Prime Minister Rehman Malik, National Security Advisor Mahmud Ali Durrani and Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani. The US side included Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley and White House Chief of the Staff Joshua Bolton.